Two Ivy alumni share their journey from Nepal to Frontier Airlines
When Pratikshya Tripathee and Ankit Pandey arrived at Iowa State University from Nepal, located in South Asia, they were each at important crossroads – personally, academically, and professionally. Today, as financial analysts at Frontier Airlines, they credit the Ivy College of Business with helping them turn their ambition into impact and with equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in a fast-paced global industry.
Tripathee graduated in December 2024 with an MBA with a business analytics certificate and a master of finance, while Pandey completed his MBA and a master of finance in August 2025.
For both, Ivy stood out not only for its academic rigor but also for its supportive culture and real-world focus. Tripathee was drawn to the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-designated MBA program, the strength of the faculty, and the responsiveness of the graduate programs team, factors that were especially important as an international student navigating long-term career planning.
“The curriculum structure, faculty strength, and availability of assistantships further confirmed that Ivy was the right choice for me,” stated Tripathee.
Pandey similarly valued Ivy’s applied learning approach, affordability, and collaborative environment. Conversations with alumni and students, including Pratikshya, reinforced his sense that the college was a place where he could grow both professionally and personally. “Iowa State stood out because of its reputation, welcoming culture, and emphasis on applied learning rather than just theory,” said Pandey.
Transitioning to graduate student life in the United States can be challenging, but both alumni point to strong support systems at Iowa State as being critical to their success.
Tripathee highlights the impact of graduate student support, including assistantships, student services, career services, and the international students and scholars’ office (ISSO). Early advising conversations, particularly with faculty and staff who explained academic systems she had never encountered before, helped her feel grounded and confident from the start.
“I vividly remember my first meeting with Sarah Wilson (director of professional master’s student services), when I felt completely lost. She took the time to patiently walk me through the most fundamental concepts, such as how course credits work, things I had never needed to think about during my undergraduate studies back home.”
Tripathee went on to say, “Career services was equally intentional about tailoring guidance and job opportunities to international students’ visa requirements. I still remember sitting across from Tabatha Carney as she patiently guided me in identifying roles and companies that actively sponsor and hire international students. Watching the number of companies at each career fair that were open to hiring international students steadily increase always put a smile on my face. It was a clear reflection of a team that consistently advocated for and supported international students, and it gave me a great sense of hope each year.”
For Pandey, finding support and community was key. “The Nepalese Students’ Association played a big role in helping me settle in, offering guidance, community, and a sense of belonging during my early days. At Ivy, the graduate programs office was an incredible support system. Tabatha, my career advisor, and Sarah, my academic advisor, were always approachable and genuinely invested in my growth. Their guidance helped me navigate both academic and career challenges with confidence.”
Tabatha Carney, director of graduate business career services, shared, “One of the greatest joys of working with students from around the world is helping them find their footing and a true sense of belonging here at Iowa State. We know students choose the Ivy College of Business graduate programs to advance their careers, and that’s why we are so intentional about helping them become career-ready. When students feel supported and connected, the experience becomes transformative. They begin to recognize their strengths and step into opportunities with confidence. At Ivy, we build the relationships that spark that growth, because belonging builds confidence, confidence fuels career-readiness, and career-readiness opens doors.”
Both alumni credit Ivy’s faculty, case competitions, and team-based learning for shaping how they think and work today.
Tripathee recalls courses with professors who not only challenged her technically but also helped build her confidence as a communicator and problem-solver. “Teaching Professor Rahul Parsa made me feel truly at home during my initial days in Iowa as an international student. Classes with Management and Entrepreneurship Professor James Summers significantly boosted my confidence in communication and presentation skills. My final course with Finance Associate Professor of Practice Ilker Karaca remains especially meaningful, as it was the moment I truly felt I was thinking and solving problems the way I would in a real-world business environment. That experience strongly influenced my decision to pursue a career in FP&A and ultimately join Frontier Airlines.”
Case competitions were particularly transformative for Tripathee, giving her hands-on experience tackling real business problems while expanding her professional network. “While every course contributed to sharpening my problem-solving approach and how I present solutions, participating in case competitions was truly transformative,” she said. “I had the opportunity to take part in multiple internal and external case competitions, which significantly boosted my confidence and provided invaluable networking exposure.”
Pandey said, “I gained confidence, adaptability, structured problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate clearly. Ivy taught me how to approach problems at both a high level and a detailed level, which is something I rely on daily.”
That’s part of the process, according to Carney. “We show students what’s possible and give them real‑world opportunities to apply their skills in supportive spaces. There, they can receive constructive feedback from faculty, staff, and peers, building their self‑awareness and recognizing how each experience moves them closer to the career they’re excited to pursue and fully prepared to thrive in.”
In their work at Frontier Airlines, both alumni support strategic and operational decision-making.
Tripathee turned a 2024 summer internship into a full-time role, where she supports financial planning and analysis related to crew operations. She manages forecasting, analyzes trends, and delivers insights that directly inform leadership decisions, work she finds especially rewarding.
Pandey learned about Frontier through the company’s website and leveraged his Ivy network by connecting with Tripathee, who referred him to the hiring manager. Today, he focuses on financial analysis, forecasting, and variance analysis, regularly presenting insights to senior leaders.
“I gained confidence, adaptability, structured problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate clearly. Ivy taught me how to approach problems at both a high level and a detailed level, which is something I rely on daily.”
— Ankit Pandey
“This is networking at its finest — a model Pandey and Tripathee are both proud of,” said Carney. “They first connected while Pandey was still in Nepal, exploring Iowa State from afar. Three years later, they’re working side by side, thanks to the peer relationship and intentional networking they built at the Ivy College of Business.”
Both alumni describe the airline industry as fast-paced, interconnected, and exciting — a place where finance plays a critical role in daily operations and where the ability to translate numbers into strategy truly matters.
Looking back, Tripathee says what she values most about Iowa State is the people, the kindness, encouragement, and sense of community that made Ames, Iowa, feel like home. Her advice to international students is simple: “Go for it. Believe in your potential. International students often hesitate to speak up or pursue opportunities out of fear of standing out. For me, everything began to change the moment I started saying ‘yes,’ before I felt fully ready and chose to set my reservations aside.”
Pandey echoes that sentiment, encouraging students to be proactive, curious, and to try new things. “Network early, talk openly with professors and advisors, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Step outside your comfort zone, put yourself forward for opportunities, and trust that you belong here.”
Together, their journeys reflect the global reach of the Ivy College of Business and the power of an education rooted in connection and applied learning. From Nepal to Iowa State and now to Frontier Airlines, their stories demonstrate how hands-on experiences, supportive networks, and real-world problem-solving prepare Ivy graduates to make an immediate impact in the workforce.
